Info/help Wanted - Page 1

hi all, this is going to be a weird post i think but here i go. A few weeks ago somebody i know attacked GSD's (i'll try not to get into details b/c this would be a very long post). Basically he said that all police dogs during the 1960's (civil rights time in the U.S.) were GSD's so therefor they were the only dogs that were ever ordered to attacked civil rights marchers/ peaceful protesters. When i tried to explain to him that most of them were GSD's but that i highly doubted they were all GSD's he flipped out and refused to listen to me soooooooo. What i was wondering is this: If any one knows of any websites or books that talk about police dogs in the U.S. during the 60's or the different types of dogs used by the police back then or just a picture of a police dog that wasn't a GSD or anything you think might help me then i would surely appriacate it. Thankx a bunch in advance for all the help!!! P.S. i play on handing this guy a report of all my finding when im done.

The great majority of police K9 in the USA was GSD's. Rotties were virtually unheard of in the 60's, let alone for sevice work. The problem is most video footage from that turbulant time shows GSD's being the weapon of choice. I don't personally recall seeing any footage of any other breed doing K9 work during that period. Kyle

Some Dobermans and Malinois were used during that era.

So what's this person's point: that GSDs are "racist" or "evil" because they were trained to follow their handlers' commands to attack, and those attacked were African-American or peaceful people of other races marching in support of civil rights? If so, I wouldn't waste any more of my time debating such idiocy.

So! What's his point? Virtually all of the police then, shooting tear gas and using batons were white men. Isn't he a white man? If so, he is just like a GSD. I guess his point is that all GSD's and all white men are evil incarnate. Tell him to quit living in the 60's. Sell his mini bus, throw away his tye dyed shirt, change his childrens names from Moon, Star Heaven and Freedom, and most importantly, move on. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am a retired white policeman with German Shepherds, who in the 60's wore tye dyed shirts and wanted to name my children Ringo or World B. Free :)

Exactly Do right and fear no one.. You are wasting your time arguing with someone like like, he or she is so full of stupidity you will never be able to change their mind no matter what the truth is. Fact is I so so tired of hearing about how white people are racist. Without a doubt their is as many if not more racist blacks or any other color as their is of whites. MOST people of all colors are NOT racists but the few that are get alot of the liberal media/profesors attention and amplify it so it appears everyone is racist. That's why the media instead of saying He or she is a great person (for whatever reason) always say he is a great Black American,,,,who cares the color, if he is great just say so period. I have yet to meet a German Shepherd that is racist! Best to ignore people who live by emotions rather than common sense and logic..

I do not want to get into a racial thingy here. The old saying "my best friend is black" is actually true in my case (Hi Gary :). I don't care what color or religion someone is, they are individuals, not interchangeable. I do however, think that "we" GSD enthusiasts should lighten-up (pun intended) on the white German Shepherd owners/breeders :). That could be a productive discussion. The original reason, as I understand it, that white GSD's were not desired, was because of the ability to see them better in the field, where they were tending to their herding responsibilities, and that made it easier for the wolves or whatever to avoid where the shepherd was and attack on a different side of the flock. Is that really pertinent now? I do not think so. I guess a case could be made that a darker color helps the dog sneak up on a bad guy coming over the fence or some similar scenario. If that is our current reasoning, then why are we not trying harder to get all black shepherds? Of course I know what the standards say about coloration (see below), although I have read standards that say "any color is generally acceptable except white". Then there are the "blues". Oh my. COLORATION: FROM STANDARD ON THIS WEB SITE: "Color should be black with regular markings in brown, tan to light gray, also with a black saddle, dark sable (black cover on a gray or light brown case with corresponding lighter marks), black, uniform gray or with light or brown markings. Small white markings on the forechest or a very light color on the insides of the legs are permissible though not desired. The nose must be black with all coat colors. (Dogs with little or no masks, yellow or strikingly light eyes, light markings on the chest and insides of the legs, white nails and a red tip of the tail or washed out weak colors are considered lacking in pigment.) The undercoat or base hair is always light gray, with the exception of that on black dogs. the final color of a puppy is only determined when the outer coat completely develops"

Dessert Ranger makes a point -- good one at that ! -- be concearned in life what you do and say --that is what will / should matter to you ! the issue is within himself .. he must take a deep look within as to why that is important to himself whether true or untrue . besides if he is so blinded by the fact ..and deal with his demons ... it is humans that cause difficulties within the canine world .. then anything you say -- will fall on blocked ears be swept by the wind !! somne people in life are destructive rather than constructive - the GSD should be praised undeningly for it's love , service and companionship

White dogs would not have survived herding sheep. Color in the GSD is a survival charactersitic and one of the reason these dogs are still with us today.

Do Right, right on!!!! lol, great post!! P.S. I was the girl wearing the tie-dyed flared leg hip huggers wavin' the peace sign!